Hello Gurus, I have a question for guys who have either done MCSE/CCNA OR both. I am interested in Computer Networking and thus have successfully completed my first certi Network+ while ago. Now, I think that I am cross roads and have to make choice. I am willing to do CCNA or MCSE after some time. I am not sure what would be right choice for me as its bit confusing. Apart from MCSE is for MS, while CCNA is for Cisco hardware I dont know anything else. I am willing to spend couple of months to get myself prepared for any certi. I have 6 months of experience with ISP as tech support person till date. Can anyone help me which will lead me towards network engineer career?? Any help would be great..Thank You Networkid "Try more achieve more"

Well, I work as a network technician at a university. I have my Network+ and MCSE (and other cert's too). The MCSE didn't do much to help me get the position I presently hold. More than anything else it was my previous experience with networks and also with Cisco equipment. It may differ from place to place but it's been my experience that Cisco cert's aren't as important as experience working with Cisco products. MCSE is more geared toward domain administration (which I did plenty of in the years before getting this position) and managing users/servers/services in a Windows environment. If you're sure you want to persue networking, then you should at the very least get familiar with Cisco products and how to configure/maintain them.

Thank You, CurtR I will keep this in mind. But where I live in Sydney any position I see demands that either you should have CCNA or MCSE. And YES many positions in organizations demand this for tech support positions. I am quite sure to become a network engineer organizations will ask for more then CCNA/MCSE and atleast 3+ years of experience. Networkid "Try more achieve more"

It really depends on what you want to do. As Curt R pointed out, the Cisco cert is geared more for working with Cisco products like switches and routers, where as MCSE is geared more for administration of Windows and Active Directory. I am an MCSE 2000/2003, and my certification has done very well for me in getting various positions. Both certs are valuable, but I will say this. If you're looking at getting a higher senior level type admin/engineer position, CCNA will not help you as much as MCSE. If you want to go down the Cisco path, CCNA should be a stepping stone to CCNP or above. And neither will get you very far alone, which you seem to understand. If you're not looking to go down the path of advanced Cisco certifications, one way to look at it is you have a basic networking foundation covered with Network+. It may be more beneficial to you to get something to cover understanding of administering and designing more in the application realm that MCSE covers. TECH-NO-LOGICAL ROMANCE! http://www.homestarrunner.com/tgs12.html

If you're looking at getting a higher senior level type admin/engineer position, CCNA will not help you as much as MCSE. For the real high-level networking jobs, ie: network analyst/engineer, you need a Comp Sci degree at the least. Most places have rules about whom they can hire for what positions and for management level, it's almost always a degree. It may not be so much that way in the private sector, but I know where I work, in education (I work at a University) you HAVE to have a degree to get a management position. What's funny is, I've yet to see a University level Comp Sci course that offers anything to do with networking. It's almost all programming. Go figure....

"For the real high-level networking jobs, ie: network analyst/engineer, you need a Comp Sci degree at the least. Most places have rules about whom they can hire for what positions and for management level, it's almost always a degree." I don't have a Comp Sci or related degree. I have a Masters in Secondary Education from when I was a teacher, without a single class in technology aside from using technology in the classroom type of course. I am currently a Senior Network Engineer for an IT services consultancy firm. None of the people in my firm to my knowledge have these degrees, either. My acquaintances in other jobs in my past usually didn't, either. Typically, as Curt is pointing out, places such as government agencies and educational institutions have such requirements for a degree, but they are more the minority than the majority. "Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion! Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution! The ripple effect is too good not to mention. If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"

Ok...cool, If I forget all the certifications for a moment then what I all hold is Master of Information Systems with only one course covering Network Secutiry (infact Security+ curriculam-havent attempted Security+ however) As you may be knowing Information Systems is totally different arena covering all those boring System Analysis and Design (SAD). But due to my interest or tendency towards hardware I think I will be able to contribute more. However, I think that I hold ample of knowledge to begin with. On top of this lots of things rely on position,organisation,place you apply for and bit of luck as well. Networkid "Try more achieve more"